FUNDS FOR HOLIDAY IN N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

FUNDS FOR HOLIDAY IN N.Z.

MINISTER’S REFERENCE TO “STUPID COMMENT” (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 31. “I cannot understand why sub-editors or the Press Association allow such stupid comment to be published in their papers as that emanating from Auckland, alleged to be the remarks of a Major F. Rutledge,” said the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) this evening. “This gentleman is said to have stated that hc/had some difficulty in obtaining New Zealand money. This is merely absurd. There is no restriction whatsoever on any outside visitor obtaining New Zealand currency; in fact, we welcome such inquiries. There is no reason whatsoever why any z visitor, Australian or otherwise, coming to New Zealand could not get his full requirements of money to spend in this country at the usual rates. Banks 'in overseas countries,, of course, exercise their own discretion if requests are made for overseas currency. At present to conserve its overseas funds the Government is putting a reasonable limitation on the 'amounts that can be taken out of the country. If Australian banks were to accept New Zealand notes to unlimited amounts this would be an easy and convenient method of getting round the Government’s intention of conserving sterling funds. There is no more in it .than that.”